HARBOR ST. LUCIE — Freddy Peralta threw a bullpen session to his primary catcher for the first time this spring on Monday, under the supervision of the team’s new pitching coach.
There is a lot of newness with the Mets, with the right-handed top player being an important part.
But now comes the other side, as Peralta begins the acclimation process for his new team.
Some introductions won’t be necessary: Peralta had Tobias Myers, Devin Williams and Tyrone Taylor as teammates on the Brewers.
Many others became acquaintances during his eight Major League seasons.
His introduction to the team’s pitching group, led by new pitching coach Justin Willard, came immediately after the trade that sent Peralta and Myers from Milwaukee for Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams on Jan. 21.
And when he arrived at camp, Peralta said he was impressed by the amount of information he was provided.
“When I came here, they knew all my stuff and a lot of things that surprised me, but that’s good,” Peralta said.
Those surprises included learning about the progression of his slider over the past four seasons, and how often he has used the pitch, down to his favorite grips.
The goal isn’t to change Peralta — who finished fifth in National League Cy Young Award voting last season after pitching a 2.70 ERA in 33 starts for the Brewers — but to inform him.
“It was very comfortable because they asked me how I do things and how I do my things, what I did and we all communicate that,” Peralta said. “We worked together. It’s not like, ‘We have a new idea, and I think you can do this now.’ It was very fun and easy. I’m happy with that because they’re not trying to change anyone. They’re just trying to communicate and it’ll help me keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Peralta expects a seamless transition with him throwing primarily to Francisco Alvarez, who sits atop the Mets depth chart at catcher.
Luis Torrens also has extensive experience as the team’s primary backup.
“[Alvarez] has a lot of energy, a lot of potential and I saw that even before I became his teammate and I’m really excited to see what we’re going to accomplish together,” Peralta said. “We had some conversations already, he caught my bullpen today and it was great. I think the relationship we’re going to have is very important.
“But I think I’m also pretty easy to get to know. I don’t think it’s going to take that long, probably, but hopefully we’ll get to know each other right before the end of spring training. That’s all we need, but I don’t think it’s going to take that long.”
Peralta, Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, David Peterson and Kodai Senga are the key rotation pieces, with depth options Jonah Tong and Christian Scott in the mix.
Peralta, who arrived at camp early, said his first days in the clubhouse were welcome.
“I know a lot of guys here and we’ve never played together, but we’ve seen each other all season and we’ve played a lot and it’s awesome, man,” Peralta said. “I received a lot of love from everyone.”
Peralta will not participate in the World Baseball Classic this spring, but will focus his energy on his first camp with the Mets.
“I just focus on what I need to do and meet everyone,” Peralta said. “Get my workouts in and try to stay healthy.”
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